The Babywearing Thread

[MrsK]

Michele, what do you recommend for a 2-3 month old that wants to face forward but doesn't quite have enough head control? I've tried it with the Moby and he just doesn't seem stable - kept startling and grabbing my hands.

[Michele]

The BabyBjorn would probably work, though they aren't my favorite carrier. If he's not stable enough in the Moby, he's probably not ready to wear facing out. None of my 3 have ever been worn facing out. *** This is my own preference based on my reading, so your mileage may vary, but I don't think it's good for them to be worn facing out. It doesn't allow them to get away from external stimuli. If someone walks up to you to talk to you/the baby, the child has no way to hide. And mine all hid when they were younger. If they want to nap, they are still bombarded by the lights and sounds of wherever you are. There is no escape route for them. During the baby stage when they are facing in on me in a front carry, they can hide their head and help self regulate how much of the world they want to see, so their developing brains can process at their own speeds. When they start to try to turn around and lean to look around, I turn my body so they can see...so I'm standing sideways to whatever they want to look at. (and then I can talk about it, point, whatever). Usually though at that point the baby is getting strong enough and has gained enough control over his body that I can switch to back carries occasionally. 2-3 months old seems really young to be wanting to be forward facing. Could you be misinterpreting what he wants?

[MrsK]

Well, he lifts his head, pushes away from me, turns his head...he does this at home too and complains until I turn him forward in my lap. So, I figured he wants to see. He'll one of these doesn't want to miss anything babies, holds his eyes wide open even when he's crying or exhausted, won't sleep is there is a remote possibility that someone my want to talk to him, hates being put down and cries unless someone is in his face.

[Michele]

There are currently 2 Kangas for sale right now. She usually only does custom carriers on a waitlist. They are kinda pricey, but I think they are worth it.

http://bloo-kangaroo.com/shop/index....ndex&cPath=8_6

I'm going to post my gently-used Ergo on Craigslist. Anyone have a clue as to what I should ask for it? I know it was $100+ when I bought it, but I'm really no good at pricing these things.

[Michele]

On thebabywearer forums, it looks like they go from $50-80 for the basic model depending on condition.

Sweet. Thx.

[SoonerTexan]

Anybody know about spine stability issues the Bjorn supposedly causes? We're going with the Ergo because of it (and also because it just looks more comfortable and more likely to be worn by DH), but I was curious to know what is legit and what is internet rumor.

[Michele]

I think the spine and hip "issues" with the Bjorn are totally overblown mom-petition fodder. I think the Bjorn looks uncomfortable for both wearer and baby, but I think babywearing is better than not babywearing.

That said, if you have a family history of spine or hip issues, I would then caution you to maybe research it more or avoid it. But if you have back issues, I probably would caution you about babywearing in the first place.

[scrub-jay]

My DH only liked the Bjorn, and refused to wear the ergo (and we had the "sport" version too)... I dunno, I think you need to try them out.

[migirl]

I've never heard of spine stability issues with the Bjorn. I do know that it hurts MY back, but all three of my babies preferred it to any other carrier when they were infants. Around 5 months I can put them in the Ergo, and then we're both happy. Oh, and DH preferred the Bjorn although he'll wear DD in the Ergo using the back carry.

[civilspouse]

MrsK - DS was exactly the same way. From the time he was tiny he wanted to be able to see everything that was going on. We had a Bjorn and would wear him forward facing, but it became uncomfortable after a little while. I got a Beco Butterfly and we both love it now even though it doesn't do forward facing. Beco makes another similar carrier though that does do forward facing and they claim it does not have the same hip problems of the Bjorn. It had a lower weight limit than the Butterfly though and since DS is older that was my deciding factor. I don't remember if I read it here, but you can rent carriers on paxbaby.com.

[civilspouse]

I just looked up the other carrier, it's the Beco Gemini. It can do front carry (facing in or out) back and hip carries.

[Michele]

Woot!!! My new carrier came today!!!

The pic on the bed shows the green color better than the "action" shot.

Cool! I sold my ergo on Monday for $60.